Indiana county taking over closed Wabash River bridge

NEW HARMONY, Ind. — Officials in a southwestern Indiana county are taking over a Wabash River bridge between Indiana and Illinois that's been closed for more than two years.

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By The Associated Press

The State Journal-Register

By The Associated Press

Posted Aug. 20, 2014 at 7:28 AM

By The Associated Press

Posted Aug. 20, 2014 at 7:28 AM

NEW HARMONY, Ind. — Officials in a southwestern Indiana county are taking over a Wabash River bridge between Indiana and Illinois that's been closed for more than two years.

The Posey County Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept ownership of the New Harmony Bridge at the prompting of a community group made up residents from that county and White County, Illinois, who hope to reopen the span.

Posey County commissioner Jim Alsop tells the Evansville Courier & Press he still believes the bridge's future should be a state matter, but saw no other options.

The bridge was built in 1930 and was operated for decades as a private toll bridge. It was closed in 2012 after inspections found extensive deterioration.

Bridge supporters say the county is better able to seek funding for repairs.